Destination Overview
Guyana is a small country on the north-east coast of South
America. It is bordered by Suriname to the south-east, Venezuela to
the west, Brazil to the south and the Atlantic ocean to the
west.Its star attraction is the awesome Kaieteur Falls - five times
higher than Niagara and, thanks to its lush rainforest location,
immeasurably more impressive.Travellers to Guyana will find that it is quite unlike any other
country on the continent. For one, it is the only English-speaking
nation, a legacy of its time as a British colony when it was known
as British Guiana. It is also has a distinctly Creole culture, and
enjoys cricket as the national sport, making this a more Caribbean
destination than its neighbours. The capital Georgetown is famous
for its 19th century wooden houses on stilts, and its gently
decaying colonial architecture.Inland, however, Guyana takes on the tropical jungle and
Amazonian character of a true South American country. Here you will
find ample trekking, biking and other eco-tourism activities in the
hilly plains around the Pakaraima mountains and a multitude of
rivers to raft on and fish in. This region is also home to some 120
Amerindian tribes that still live in relative isolation to the more
developed settlements along the coastline.Guyana is truly a fascinating destination that hasn't allowed it
corrupt and chaotic politicians get in the way of its many tourist
offerings. The roads are bad, crime is high and prices relatively
steep, and yet for visitors who come here little Guyana lives large
and long in the memory.
